The short answer
- Safari
- Licensed, TATO member, written quote
- Kilimanjaro
- KPAP partner, oxygen and oximeter
- Red flag
- Prices below the park fees
- Avoid
- Street touts in Arusha and Moshi
Tanzania has hundreds of safari and climbing companies, from excellent local specialists to one person outfits selling on the street. A few checks before you pay make all the difference.
Checks to make
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Red flags
- A price below the park fees, or fees listed as "paid on arrival" without amounts.
- Pressure to pay a full deposit in cash, or to a personal account.
- No physical office or licence number.
- A 5 day Kilimanjaro climb pushed as the best option.
- Vague answers about the vehicle, camps or how many people share the vehicle.
Tip: Use our safari cost calculator to check whether a quote is realistic before you pay.
Questions to ask
- Which areas of the Serengeti will we stay in for our month?
- How many people share the vehicle, and how is the crater fee split?
- What happens if a camp is full or a road is closed by rain?
- For Kilimanjaro: what do porters earn, and how do you check climbers' health each day?
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Answer a few quick questions and a local specialist will send you a free, no-obligation itinerary and price.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know a Tanzania safari company is legitimate?
Check for a Tourism Agency Licence, TATO membership, a company bank account, recent independent reviews and a detailed written quote.
What is KPAP?
The Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project, which checks that partner operators pay porters fairly, limit their loads and give them proper kit.
Should I book a safari in Arusha on arrival?
You can, but it's safer to book in advance with a licensed operator. Avoid street touts.
Sources we checked
Tanzania month by month
More Tanzania guides
Best time to visit Tanzania: safari, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar by month
June to October is the best time for most of Tanzania: dry safaris, good climbing on Kilimanjaro and sunny Zanzibar. January and February are a second high season, with calving in the southern Serengeti. Avoid April and May, the long rains.
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How much does a Tanzania safari cost? Prices, park fees and a calculator
Expect about US$250 to 350 per person per day for a budget camping safari, US$400 to 700 mid range and US$900 or more for luxury, including park fees. Fees alone add about US$150 a day in the Serengeti once the nightly concession fee is included.
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The Great Migration in Tanzania: where to see it month by month
The herds spend about ten months a year in Tanzania. Stay around Ndutu for calving in January and February, the Western Corridor in June, and the northern Serengeti near Kogatende for Mara River crossings from July to October.
Updated 16 October 2026
Tanzania safari itineraries: 3, 5, 7 and 10 days
Every northern safari starts in Arusha. Three days covers Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater, five adds the Serengeti, seven is the classic northern circuit, and ten adds Zanzibar or the far north of the Serengeti.
Updated 16 October 2026